Christmas In...Germany and Austria

A Tale of Two Christmases: Holiday Traditions in Germany and Austria
Close your eyes and picture the quintessential Christmas scene. For many, images of evergreen trees glittering with baubles, houses trimmed in tiny white lights, and stockings hung with care likely come to mind. Carols ringing through the brisk air, the spiced scent of gingerbread baking, and perhaps even visions of sugar plums dance through imaginations.
Yet Christmas unfolds quite differently depending on where you call home. And for those with German or Austrian roots, it’s a magical season filled with beloved traditions centuries in the making. From outdoor markets aglow with the Christmas spirit to quaint mountain villages that look like they leaped off a holiday postcard, Christmas in Deutschland buzzes with enchantment.
Preparations Underway After St. Martin’s Day
While Christmas décor springs up the day after Thanksgiving back in the States, Germans and Austrians embrace a slightly more gradual lead-up. The holiday season officially commences on St. Martin’s Day, November 11th. On this evening, children walk the streets carrying handmade paper lanterns as neighbors gather to welcome the coming weeks of winter traditions and cheer.
The following Sunday, the first advent wreath candle gets lit over Sunday dinner, counting down the four weeks leading up to Christmas Eve. Each week another candle joins the first amid folk songs and festive sweets.
Before long, the outdoor Christmas markets unique to Germany and Austria raise their wooden gates, signaling the start of magical Weihnachtsmarkts filled with nostalgic treasures and Yuletide indulgences. As December dawns, snow-capped Alpine landscapes provide an even more glorious backdrop for getting into the Christmas spirit Austrian style.
From Krampus to Angels: Beloved Christmas Characters
While American kids know all about Santa and his trusty elves, children in Deutschland and Österreich grow up enchanted by an entirely different cast of Christmas characters.
On December 5th, Germans set boots out by the door for St. Nicholas to fill with tiny gifts and treats overnight. But far from the jolly man in red, their Nikolaus dons bishop robes and a towering miter hat as he goes about his gift-giving accompanied not by helpful elves but the devilish Krampus.
This fearsome horned creature recalls a sinister goat demon from ages past who unleashes his wrath upon naughty children. So while good German girls and boys were awake to candy, fruit, and small toys, the ill-behaved find onlycharcoal or sticks left behind by Krampus as a frightening reminder to mend their ways.
Just as American kids line up to sit on Santa’s lap and relay their wish lists, young ones in Germany and Austria share their hopes and dreams with Christkindl, or “Christ Child.” Often the oldest daughter of the family dresses up as this angelic being with golden curls and a sparkling crown to hear Christmas wishes.
So between St. Nicholas, Krampus, and Christkindl, children certainly have no shortage of mystique and magic surrounding the countdown to Christmas!
The Sweet Smell of Christmas
Can you imagine Christmas without thenostalgic scents wafting through home during the holidays? From freshly-cut pine needles accenting banisters to cinnamon potpourri nestled in festive bowls, aromas have a way ofkindling treasured memories. Smells conjure up cozy scenes of chestnuts roasting or whip cream sweetening peppermint hot cocoa.
But for those celebrating Weihnachten, the delicious fragrances of holiday baking hold the key to theirChristmastime sentimentality. And Germans have practically raised cookie-baking to anartform! They bake up dozens of varieties from thin lebkuchen embossed with charming scenes to spritz cookies piped through intricate presses. You’ll find vanilla kipferl, jam thumbprints, chocolate coconut macaroons, rich florentiner lace cookies, and hazelnutty mazzeralla stacked up on vintage plates.
Other old-world specialties include stollen studded with candied fruit, dense leckerkuchen bars sticky with honey, intricate springerle flavored with anise, and perfumed pfeffernuse kissed with exotic spices. Through the month of December, homes fill with the nostalgia-inducing scents of German confections baking in the oven.
The Austrians can give their German counterparts a run for their money when it comes to Christmas sweets as well. Buying boxes of holiday treats at the supermarkt simply won’t cut it for Austrian Omas passing down generations of recipes.
Tender zimtsterne get their flavor from a dash of cinnamon while crisp muzsterne bring a doubly nutty component with ground hazelnuts or almonds stirred right into the dough. They coat vanilla kipferl cookies in velvety chocolate ganache or candied nuts. And the melt-in-your mouth goodness of chocolate-smothered kokosbusserl translates to “little coconu

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
A tale of two Christmases holiday traditionsin Germany and Austria. Close your eyes
and picture the quintessential Christmas scene.For many, images of evergreen trees glittering
with baubles, houses trimmed in tinywhite lights, and stockings hung with care
likely come to mind. Carols ringingthrough the brisk air, the spiced scent
of gingerbread baking, and perhaps evenvisions of sugar plums dance through imaginations.

(00:25):
Yet Christmas unfolds quite differently depending onwhere you call home, and for those
with German or Austrian roots, it'sa magical season filled with beloved traditions centuries
in the making, from outdoor marketsaglow with the Christmas spirit to quaint mountain
villages that look like they leaped offa holiday postcard. Christmas in Deutschland buzzes

(00:47):
with enchantment, preparations underway after SaintMartin's Day, while Christmas decorse springs up
the day after Thanksgiving back in theStates, Germans and Austrians embrace a slightly
more gradual leader up. The holidayseason officially commences on Saint Martin's Day,
November eleven. On this evening,children walk the streets carrying handmade paper lanterns

(01:10):
as neighbours gather to welcome the comingweeks of winter traditions and cheer. The
following Sunday, the first advent wreathcandle gets lit over Sunday dinner, counting
down the four weeks leading up toChristmas Eve. Each week, another candle
joins the first amid folk songs andfestive suites. Before long, the outdoor

(01:30):
Christmas markets unique to Germany and Austriaraise their wooden gates, signaling the start
of magical vinuchts marts filled with nostalgictreasures and Yule Tide indulgences. As December
dawns, snow capped alpine landscapes providean even more glorious backdrop for getting into
the Christmas spirit Austrian style, fromCrampus to angels beloved Christmas characters. While

(01:53):
American kids know all about Santa andhis trusty elves, children in Deutschland and
Austerite grow up enchanted by an entirelydifferent cast of Christmas characters. On December
fifth, Germans set boots out bythe door for Saint Nicholas to fill with
tiny gifts and treats over night,But far from the jolly man in red,

(02:13):
there Nicholas Don's bishop robes and atowering miter hat as he goes about
his gift giving, accompanied not byhelpful elves but the devilish Crampas. This
fearsome, horned creature recalls a sinistergoat demon from ages past who unleashes his
wrath upon naughty children. So whilegood German girls and boys were awake to
candy, fruit and small toys,the ill behaved find only charcoal or sticks

(02:38):
left behind by Crampus as a frighteningreminder to mend their ways. Just as
American kids line up to sit onSanta's lap and relay their wish lists,
young ones in Germany and Austria sharetheir hopes and dreams with chreas Kindle or
Christ Child. Often the oldest daughterof the family dresses up as this angelic
being with golden curls and a sparklingcrown to hear Christmas wishes. So between

(03:02):
Saint Nicholas, Crampus and Christ Kindle, children certainly have no shortage of mystique
and magic. Surrounding the countdown toChristmas. The sweet smell of Christmas.
Can you imagine Christmas without then Nostalgicscents wafting through home during the holidays,
from freshly cut pine needles accenting banistersto cinnamon pot pourrie nestled in festive bowls.

(03:23):
Aromas have a way of kindling treasuredmemories. Smells conjure up cozy scenes
of chestnuts roasting or whipped cream,sweetening, peppermint, hot cocoa. But
for those celebrating weinachten, the deliciousfragrances of holiday baking hold the key to
their Christmas time sentimentality, and Germanshave practically raised cookie baking to annotform.

(03:46):
They bake up dozens of varieties,from thin lebcouchen embossed with charming scenes to
spritz cookies piped through intricate presses.You'll find vanilla chiphurrel jam thumbprints, chocolate
coconut macaroons, rich Florentina lace cookies, and hazel nutty mazerala stacked up on
vintage plates. Other Old World specialtiesinclude stalin studded with candied fruit, dense

(04:08):
leccacouchen bars sticky with honey, intricatespringily flavored with anis, and perfumed fefnus
kissed with exotic spices. Through themonth of December, homes fill with the
nostalgia inducing scents of German confections bakingin the oven. The Austrians can give
their German counterparts a run for theirmoney when it comes to Christmas sweets as

(04:29):
well. Buying boxes of holiday treatsat the supermarket simply won't cut it for
Austrian omas, passing down generations ofrecipes. Tender zimstern get their flavor from
a dash of cinnamon, while crispmustern bring a doubly nutty component with ground
hazel nuts or almonds stirred right intothe dough. They coat vanilla chip furl
cookies in velvety chocolate, ganache orcandied nuts, and the melt in your

(04:54):
mouth goodness of chocolate smothered cocos busserltranslates to little coconut kiss. From chewy
gingerbread sweetened with honey. To theelegant linsa tart featuring raspberry jam tucked between
a lattice crust, it becomes abundantlyclear. Both countries take their Christmas baking
very seriously. The charm of Christmasmarkets. Perhaps nothing captures the essence of

(05:17):
the season quite like the traditional GermanChris kindlemarked. You can't walk more than
a few city blocks without stumbling acrossa festive open air market brimming with holiday
ambients as early as late November.Elaborate wooden stalls border town squares across the
country. The irresistible aromas of roastingchestnuts and cinnamon laced pastries instantly kindle sentiments

(05:40):
of nostalgia. Locals and tourists alikemeander the lanes, illuminated by twinkling lights
as vendors pedal their seasonal wares.You'll discover handmade wooden ornaments, nutcrackers,
smokers, and intricately carved pyramids reminiscentof past centuries. Adult stay plenty warm
with a mug of goochwayne hot mulledwine, redolent of citrus and spice.

(06:02):
As periodic snow flurries flutter to theground, little ones cherish gingerbread hearts,
foil wrapped Saint Nicholas chocolates, lambs, wool stuffed toys, and nostalgic goodies
by the bagful. Carollers, croonebeloved songs, often clad in traditional dirndles
and lederhosen. Adding regional flare,dazzling light displays and evergreen boughs complete the

(06:24):
German Christmas magic. Across the Austrianborder, their markets exude even more rustic
charm and alpine beauty, set againststunning backdrops of snow capped peaks and meandering
canals. Salzburg, Vienna and Innsbruckattract visitors by the masses. Shops bring
in unique handicrafts made by local artisans, while food stalls sizzle with lango's flatbread,

(06:46):
sugary cortosca laks, chimney cakes orhearty Brezelknodle soup dumplings. No one
can resist a mug of ira punch, eggs, sugar and liquor whipped into
a quintessential Austrian winter warmer. Spendan evening browsing for steine, figurineanes,
wooden toys or delicate blown glass ornamentsas glowing lanterns cast a warm, welcoming
glow. The stunning surroundings, coupledwith the lively schemes of crafts, snacks

(07:11):
and colorful characters, makes for ahalt loss festive atmosphere. The anticipation and
excitement of Heiliger Ubend as alluring asthe markets and suites prove to be.
Christmas Eve and the grand celebrations holdthe true magic in German and Austrian culture.
While American families usually gather to partakein a lavish dinner before tucking into
bed for Santa's arrival sometime around midnight, things unfold much differently across the Atlantic.

(07:38):
Most people start hiliger Abben or ChristmasEve by attending morning church services,
but rather than rest and relaxation settingin for the afternoon, a flurry of
activity ensues to finish up last minutebaking, present wrapping, and home decorating
before the big event. As eveningsets in, glowing luminaries light the walkways,

(07:58):
guiding families carrying trays of scrumptuous confectionsto one another's homes for a progressive
feast. At each house, thevisitors share traditional Yule treats they prepared,
while the hosts reveal their holiday spreadof dishes like carp potato salad or fondeue.
Guests linger for sweets, snacks,and SIPs of holiday liqueurs as carols

(08:18):
play and candles flicker. Late intothe night. Laughter and fellowship takes center
stage rather than formal sit down affairs. Only once children have written wish lists
for christ Kindle and set out platesof cookies for dimpled vin utsmen do parents
permit them to select a single giftto open on Christmas Eve. Once guests

(08:39):
depart, Families then attend more latenight services together, bathed in flickering candles,
before returning home once more. Now, the most exciting moment finally arrives,
present distribution. Beneath the glowing tanninbalm. Parents play Santa in some
regions, after donning playful masks anddisguises to conceal their identities as they hand

(09:01):
out thoughtfully chosen gifts for each familymember. Heartfelt gift exchanges last for hours,
fueled by smiling faces, thankful hugs, sentimental reflections, and plenty of
Christmas nibbles. When the last giftsget unwrapped in the wee hours of morning,
some parents surprise little ones with anornament or candy filled orange tucked in

(09:22):
the upper branches. Tired but filledwith joy, families then retire to bed,
excited for more intimate gatherings on ChristmasDay, sharing in beloved traditions,
generations in the making the most wonderfultime of year. Indeed, from enchanting
alpine views dusted with powdery snow tothe intoxicating sense of holiday suites lingering through

(09:48):
the crisp air at outdoor markets,Germany and Austria truly transform into winter wonderlands.
The weeks swell with excitement from SaintNicholas and his menacing companion, checking
up on who's been naughty or nice, to the sweet christ kindle, hearing
last minute confessions, lighted strolls,admiring the holiday displays, Sipping spicy gauvain

(10:11):
or creamy ire punch, shopping forhandmade ornaments from local artisans. It all
exudes quaint, charm and Weinachtsauber Ina way America often loses sight of amid
commercialization. Rather than stressing over extensivegift shopping and party planning, locals focus
more on faith, fellowship and timehonored customs. Groups going house to house,

(10:31):
enjoying potluck spreads, attending multiple churchgatherings by candlelight, baking up every
curve studded and glazed holiday confection imaginableeven when presents get exchanged in the dark
pre dawn hours, rather than wakingto ribbons and bows on Christmas morning.
They place more meaning on the deliberatetraditions so lovingly preserved from one generation to

(10:52):
the next. That special magic surelycasts a powerful spell for experiencing Christmas at
its fest Thanks for listening to Quiet. Please remember to like and share wherever
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